Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Hong Kong following the decision of Hong Kong police to offer rewards for the arrests of pro-democracy campaigners, including British National (Overseas) passport holders resident in the UK, and the stripping of Martin Lee SC of his status as a Hong Kong Justice of the Peace.

On Christmas Eve, the Foreign Secretary strongly condemned the Hong Kong police's targeting of individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression and called on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law, including its extraterritorial reach. Senior diplomats have raised concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, and FCDO officials have contacted the Chinese Embassy and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.

The UK Government will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK.

Freedom of speech and other fundamental rights of all people in the UK are protected under domestic law, regardless of nationality. The police and security services monitor these issues very closely.

The UK will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong.